Volume 7 Chapter 4 In The Midst Of Falling Cherry Blossoms, Liquor And Food
After finishing the shopping, Sir Stefan, Sir Ciel, and Mr. Lucian head up the hill where the mysterious cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
The path lined with thick-trunked trees has small, pale pink petals fluttering down like snow, landing on our heads, shoulders, and cheeks when the wind blows.
"Wow, amazing, it's so beautiful!"
"Pumpkin!"
"Tart..."
"...fried horse mackerel."
Eir-Eir is excited, Ms. Famine tilts her head up to smell the flowers, and Nel-Nel lets out a small sound.
"The mysterious cherry blossoms... brings back memories. I once vowed eternal love here too."
"Dad, eternal love with a puppy lover..."
Dad says nostalgically while in Sir Rail's arms. Sir Rail is holding both Dad and Nel-Nel in his hands. It looks heavy, but Dad is light, and Nel-Nel is lighter than she looks.
"So Dad was married. Since there are only single men here, you're like a life mentor, huh?"
"That's right. I'm the mentor, kids."
"Do you have any tips on marriage?"
"Just honestly express your feelings for your partner."
"Princess, I like you."
"Ah, y-yes."
Sir Rail, who was talking to Dad, turns to me.
I was staring blankly at the falling petals, startled, and nodded quickly.
"Lydia. Standing here among the dancing petals, you look like a flower fairy. Please don't disappear from my sight, let me protect you until the end of my days."
"Mr. Lucian, please don't say such worrying things all of a sudden..."
Isn't it Mr. Lucian who seems like he might disappear? I wish he wouldn't talk about the end of life.
"Lydia, I'm so happy to see such a beautiful view with you again. ...I really am."
"Sir Stefan, please don't cry... we haven't even had a drink yet."
Sir Stefan looks teary-eyed. Thinking about drinking soon makes me really worried.
I think I was crying at the end of the year too. After drinking some alcohol.
"...Ms. Lydia, I'm..."
Sir Ciel started to say something but then stopped.
I puffed up my cheeks and tugged at Sir Ciel's robe.
"Please say it properly, Sir Ciel. I don't want to fight again..."
"No... um... when I look at you... if I let my guard down, all I can think is how cute you are, and I can't find the words..."
"Eh..."
Sir Ciel covered his mouth with his hand, avoiding my gaze, his cheeks turning red.
What's wrong with you, Sir Ciel?
"If I honestly accept my feelings... um... it feels like the emotions I've been holding back are overflowing, like a lid has come off... everything about you is so cute... I've thought that for a while now."
"Uh, Sir Ciel, um, ah..."
"Wait a minute, Lydia! I think you're cute too!"
"Princess is cute, right? That's the consensus of the Kingdom's people. It's not just Ciel who thinks that, so it's okay."
"Lydia is cute and lovely. That's a well-known fact. Did you just realize that, Ciel! So that's why you haven't been flustered or panicked like Roxas about Lydia's loveliness until now. I see, I get it."
Seeing Sir Ciel flustered made me blush too.
Thinking about when our lips touched, my heart started pounding loudly, and I didn't know what to do when Mr. Lucian jumped in, looking flustered.
Sir Rail said it casually, and Sir Stefan nodded thoughtfully.
I'm being praised so much, wow.
What should I do? I'm grateful, but it's embarrassing.
"Elder Sister! Elder Sister!"
I couldn't say anything and looked down to hide my flushed face.
As we reached the top of the hill overlooking the Holy Capital Ascalith, where the biggest mysterious cherry blossom tree stood, a sweet voice called out to me.
Under the thick trunk and splendid branches full of blooming cherry blossoms, Mx. Margaret and Mr. Tsukuyomi were waving at me.
I was imagining spreading a picnic blanket under the cherry blossom tree, but there was actually a nice table set up with chairs ready. Sitting elegantly in one of those chairs was Sir Roxas.
From that spot, FraFra came running towards me.
"Elder Sister, long time no see! I've missed you!"
"FraFra...!"
"Yes, it's your FraFra! I've been working hard at the clinic every day, and then Mx. Margaret invited me to this cherry blossom viewing. I was worried about being alone with Sir Roxas, thinking, 'What a pain!' But when I saw your face, all my worries disappeared!"
"That's what I should be saying!"
"Sir Roxas looks angry... under the cherry blossoms, only Sir Roxas could look angry..."
"I'm not angry, Lydia. I'm not angry."
"Look, princess. This is a cherry blossom viewing set funded by the Girard family. The servants are standing by a little way off, so they can help with the cleanup too."
"Well, that makes me feel a bit uneasy..."
Compared to the other people enjoying the cherry blossoms, this setup is definitely thanks to the Girard family's wealth.
Since Sir Rail said it like it was nothing, I replied in a small voice.
As expected, Sir Rail, being a son of the Girard family, is used to such luxury. I'm not.
"Tsukuyomi, Margaret, I bought food from the stalls. I can buy food from the stalls now too."
"Well done, Stefan. Did you listen to your brothers? Did you not cause any trouble for the stall owners?"
"I think it's fine. Lucian told me not to use gold coins for payment. He said they don't have change. So, I made sure to bring copper and silver coins."
"That's impressive, Stefan. Using gold coins to pay for food and confusing the townsfolk is something royals tend to do; it's like a top-3 mistake."
"Lucian and Ciel are used to this kind of thing, so it was fine. I thought I should learn from them and broaden my horizons."
"Good kids, huh?"
"Surprisingly, there's no poison. It's actually a bit worrying."
As Sir Stefan smiled while laying out the food he bought from the stall on the table, Mx. Margaret and Mr. Tsukuyomi were whispering something to each other.
There were already bottles of alcohol lined up on the table, and a cherry blossom petal had fallen into the cup of alcohol Mr. Tsukuyomi was holding, giving off a spring vibe.
"Lydia. I've been waiting, please sit."
"Y-yes... Thank you, Sir Roxas. For preparing a place for me."
I had only planned to sit on a picnic blanket with Eir-Eir and eat rice balls, but it turned into a noble tea party under the cherry blossoms.
"N-no, it's nothing. If it's okay with you, feel free to rely on me anytime."
"Sir Roxas, you're so rich..."
It's a bit intimidating to ask for help from someone so wealthy. We each laid out what we had brought on the table and took our seats.
It felt like a noble tea party or a banquet.
But there were Eir-Eirs bouncing around on the table and Nel-Nel lazily resting on my lap.
Ms. Famine was playfully swatting at the bouncing Eir-Eirs with her tail.
Sitting next to me, FraFra was excitedly asking, "Elder Sister, would you like some tea? Or maybe some alcohol? Oh, can I eat the rice balls!?" Even though it wasn't what I had planned, I was glad we could all gather together.
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